After much discussion, the Metrolink Board of Directors at their meeting of January 8, 2010, for the first time authorized reductions in service to address a budget shortfall. The Board also responded to rider concerns about the current economic situation and did not raise fares at this time.
Metrolink staff had proposed a series of service suspensions and service cuts which were expected to save $1.15 million this fiscal year and would have expanded to nearly $3.3 million in savings for FY 2010-11. Staff's assessment of the effect on Metrolink passengers is that 98.5% of current riders would have felt no impact from those actions.
The Board decided to only authorize the first two of the series of potential service reductions which will still save the agency $529,000 this fiscal year and expand to nearly $1.35 million in savings for FY 2010-11. Metrolink's CEO, Eric Haley, also noted at the meeting that should finances improve and ridership increase, service can be selectively reinstated.
The following recommendations were approved unanimously:
A schedule change notice with information about specific trains and new schedules has been published for the weekday schedule changes taking effect on February 15, 2010 and for the weekend schedule changes effective on February 20, 2010.
- Reduce weekend service on the Inland Empire-Orange County (IEOC) Line through the elimination of 4 Saturday trains and 2 Sunday trains, leaving a round trip each Saturday and Sunday.
- Reduce weekend service on the Orange County line through the elimination of 4 trains each Saturday and Sunday leaving 4 trains each Saturday and Sunday.
- Reduce service on the IEOC line through the cancellation of 2 week day off-peak trains 852 and 853.
Following the approval of these changes, Metrolink staff re-evaluated the remaining schedule to determine if any adjustments should be made other than the elimination of the aforementioned trains. The new schedules were adjusted slightly to reduce the gaps left by the service reductions and in an effort to minimize the impact to Metrolink passengers. These adjustments will affect the weekend schedules of the Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County Lines. Weekday schedules for the Orange County, Inland Empire-Orange County, San Bernardino, Antelope Valley and 91 Lines will see some minor adjustments.
A schedule change notice with information about specific trains and new schedules has been published for the weekday schedule changes taking effect on February 15, 2010 and for the weekend schedule changes effective on February 20, 2010.
